Saudi tankers turn away from Gulf of Aden Six supertankers sailing under the Saudi flag have changed course in the Gulf of Aden in the past few days, amid threats by Houthis to target Saudi shipping. The tankers, currently empty of cargo after returning from ports in Asia, are now heading in formation towards southern Africa, rather than using the shorter route in the southern Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, according to ship-tracking data.
Israeli court blocks Ben Gvir crocodile moat plan for prisons holding Palestinians Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 12:57 Injunction was made on the basis of concerns around animal welfare, not the abuse of Palestinian prisoners Israel's National Security minister Itamar Ben Gvir is overseeing the digging of trenches around Ketziot Prison, where crocodiles will be introduced (AFP) Off An Israeli court has blocked a plan by far right minister Itamar Ben Gvir to place crocodiles in moats encircling prisons where Palestinian prisoners are being held, Israeli media is reporting. Israeli authorities have reportedly already begun digging trenches around a section of Ketziot Prison in the Negev desert, in northern Israel. Under the plan spearheaded by Ben Gvir, and backed by his National Security Ministry and the Israel Prison Service (IPS), Nile crocodiles will be installed in the trenches.
Nineteen people killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza over past day The Palestinian health ministry said 19 people were killed and 35 were wounded by Israeli forces in Gaza over the past 24 hours. According to the ministry's data, 1,250 people have been killed and 4,110 wounded since a ceasefire was declared on 11 October 2025. This brings the total to 73,375 people killed and 174,220 wounded by Israel in Gaza since 7 October 2023.
How loyalty between Iran and Kuwait gave way to mistrust Submitted by Amara Sophia Elahi on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 09:55 From hosting Kuwaiti refugees during the Gulf War to exchanging accusations over US military bases, the relationship has undergone repeated shifts US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, 24 June 2026 (Eric Lee/Pool/AFP) Off When Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, accused Kuwait of being “part of the fire of the wicked” on social media last week, it was apparent that the previously amicable relationship between the two countries had now soured. “Iran has always adhered to good neighbourliness, but the smoke of ingratitude and the absence of foresight will blind the eyes of the ungrateful,” Baghaei warned . His comments were a reference to the support Iran lent Kuwait during the Gulf War (1990-91), and were made as American military bases in Kuwait came under fire by Iranian missiles.
Emergency army mobilisation extended by Israel for two months The Israeli parliament’s foreign affairs and defence committee has voted four to two to extend emergency military mobilisation until 30 September, as requested by the Israeli government. This allows the Israeli army to call up to 240,000 reservists. Similar extensions have been granted every few months since the outbreak of Israel's genocide in Gaza in 2023.
Iran denies talks with US as Trump halts strikes at the last minute Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 10:55 Iranian officials say their only current talks are with Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz Iranians walk past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in Tehran on 3 August (AFP/Atta Kenare) Off Iran has denied any talks are ongoing with the US despite a claim from Donald Trump, who called off strikes on the country on Saturday. Trump had announced that negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday after he decided to hold off on new strikes against the Islamic Republic in order to pursue a deal. "Obviously, they don't want to be attacked," Trump told reporters on Sunday on board Air Force One.
'They want to make us leave': Israel destroys West Bank wells serving Palestinian herders Submitted by Mojahid Nawahda on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 11:13 Residents of Ras al-Ahmar say the destruction of their main water source follows months of settler attacks Families haul water after wells in Ras al-Ahmar were destroyed (Mojahid Nawahda/MEE) Off As first light reaches the scattered tents and animal pens of Ras al-Ahmar in the northern Jordan Valley, the silence is broken only by the cries of thirsty livestock waiting for water that no longer comes. Days after Israeli forces destroyed three of the Palestinian community's main water wells, residents are scrambling to secure enough water for their families, crops and animals in one of the occupied West Bank's driest regions. For 60-year-old Ali Bani Odeh, the destruction of the wells was more than merely the loss of infrastructure.
IRGC says it intercepted drone over Strait of Hormuz Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Sepah News. The report said the drone was hit by Iran’s air defence system. It was not immediately clear where the drone originated.
'We will rise again': A new generation of Tunisians prepare for Ennahda's return Submitted by Faisal Edroos on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 09:35 President Kais Saied's crackdown was meant to bury Tunisia's largest Islamist movement. Five years later, the movement's youth wing insists their comeback is near Ennahda supporters take to the streets on 13 September 2019 in the run up to the country's presidential election (Faisal Edroos/MEE) Off They've watched their leaders jailed, their offices closed and their movement repeatedly attacked. But five years after President Kais Saied seized sweeping powers and dismantled Tunisia 's democratic institutions, supporters of Ennahda insist the country's largest Islamist movement is preparing to rise from the ashes.
Iran says currently no negotiations with US Iran's foreign ministry has said there are currently no negotiations with the US but talks are taking place with Oman on managing of the Strait of Hormuz. "We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Esmaeil Baghaei, the ministry spokesperson, said during a press briefing.
How Israeli presence in Forest City exposes the Zionist-aligned underbelly of Malaysia Submitted by Miriyam Ilavenil on Fri, 07/31/2026 - 09:12 The controversy has fuelled debate over the country's pro-Palestine policy and broader questions about Zionist control People hold placards and Palestinian flags during a demonstration marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day after Friday prayers in Kuala Lumpur, 13 March 2026 (Mohd Rasfan/AFP) Off On 15 July, Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, said authorities would deport any Israeli nationals found in the Southeast Asian country, while strongly expressing that Malaysia would "not compromise" on its immigration policies. "If we find any Israeli, we will deport them immediately because we do not recognise Israel," the prime minister said, according to local media reports. His comments came as officials investigated allegations that Israelis were involved in a private residential and technology community in the southern state of Johor.
Refugee Convention at 75: Britain owes Palestine an answer Submitted by Victor Kattan on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 16:39 Ten months after a 400-page legal petition demanded an apology for the Balfour Declaration and its aftermath, Downing Street has said nothing A protester holds a placard during the Nakba 78 march in London, on 16 May 2026 (Loredana Sangiuliano/SOPA Images via Reuters Connect) Off Tuesday 28 July marked 75 years since the 1951 Refugee Convention was adopted at a United Nations conference in Geneva, with Britain among the states that negotiated and shaped it. The anniversary raises a question for the British government: whether it has ever confronted its role in creating the world's longest-standing refugee crisis . The occasion carries an uncomfortable irony.
Why Israel is a friend of budding autocrats around the world Submitted by Antony Loewenstein on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 21:27 As global public opinion turns against Tel Aviv, the Netanyahu regime is ramping up its electoral meddling, from Europe to South America Presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro appears with his wife, Fernanda, during the launch of his candidacy in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 25 July 2026 (Nelson Almeida/AFP) On I have spent more than a decade investigating the Israeli arms and surveillance industries, and have always understood that the Israeli state is far more involved than it publicly admits. The revolving door between the public and private sector is well-known , but how exactly did some of the biggest Israeli companies achieve such incredible access to governments around the world, from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia? Beyond Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spyware diplomacy - a highly effective way to make friends, by offering sophisticated tools to spy on perceived enemies, journalists, human rights workers and even friends - there were always gaps in our knowledge.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments: US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran will begin Monday after he decided to hold off on new strikes against the Islamic Republic to pursue a deal. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an explosion near a tanker 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman's port city of Khasab. The master of the vessel indicated hearing an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, according to UKMTO.
Israeli forces drop missiles, phosphorus bombs on southern Lebanon Lebanon's National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched missile attacks on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa at around 1am local time (10pm GMT), causing loud reverberating explosions that were heard in nearby towns. Elsewhere in the town of Yaroun, Haroun and Bint Jbeil, the state agency reported that phosphorus bombs were dropped, resulting in large fires in the areas' olive and pine groves. Later in the day, Israeli troops opened fire using machine guns towards Wadi Hamoul, near Naqoura.
Iran executes two accused of colluding with Israel's Mossad Iran has executed two accused of colluding with Israel last year, local media reported. Identified as Omid Behzad and Pourya Safwat, the two were accused of sending sensitive military and security location coordinates, images and information to Mossad officers.
Iranian official says they are close to reaching Hormuz deal with Oman Spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, Hassan Qashqavi, said that Tehran is close to reaching an agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz. He also confirmed that the country's mediators were seeking to revive the Memorandum of Understanding with Washington.
Israel forces carry out 'large bombing' operations, burn olive groves in south Lebanon Israeli forces carried out what state media described as "large bombing" operations in the areas of Mashaa al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon, with the blasts reverberating in the city of Tyre. Meanwhile, the Israeli army was also reportedly burning olive groves in the town of Yaroun in the Bint Jbeil district.
Earthquake of magnitude 5. 6 hits Egypt An earthquake measuring magnitude 5. 6 struck 38 km north of Egypt's Suez early on Monday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said.
Israel's Smotrich says 'complete victory' is Gaza's resettlement Speaking on a podcast, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says for him, “complete victory” means the resettling of the Gaza Strip. “There has to be a price, a price for the mistake, a price for the defeat suffered by our enemies. " Speaking on a podcast, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says for him, “complete victory” means the resettling of the Gaza Strip.
